Feeling lost in the maze of Portuguese healthcare? Trying to get health insurance quotes but ending up with a headache instead of answers? We get it – it’s confusing!
Health insurance isn’t just a “nice to have.” It’s a must-have for many visas (hello, D7 and D8!) and increasingly recommended for, well, just about everyone else. Don’t worry, though – we’ve got your back!
At Portugalist, we’ve been the trusty sidekicks for folks moving to Portugal since 2016. That’s right, we’ve been in the trenches, navigating the twists and turns of Portuguese bureaucracy longer than most expats have been dreaming about pastéis de nata.
Ready to see the health insurance options available to you? Just pop your details into our nifty form below, and faster than you can say “obrigado,” our team of Portugal-savvy experts will be on the case.
What to Consider When Choosing Health Insurance in Portugal
Selecting the right health insurance can feel like a puzzle, but let’s break it down into manageable pieces. Here are some key factors to mull over as you decide which insurance product fits your needs best.
Check Your Local Healthcare Providers
Take a moment to check which insurance providers are accepted at the hospitals, dentists, and other healthcare services in your area. It’s all about making your life easier when you need care.
Google Maps will give you a lot of the information you need. Alternatively, look out for common names of private hospital chains such as CUF, LUZ, Lusíadas,
Joaquim Chaves, and Groupo HPA, to name a few.
International Coverage: Globe-Trotter’s Delight
- Are you a frequent flyer or considering a move in the near future? If so, you might want to look into providers with a more international focus. Yes, it might be pricier, but the peace of mind could be worth it if you’re often on the go.
- If your health insurance doesn’t offer great international coverage, you should purchase travel insurance for the countries you’re visiting.
- Some Americans choose to continue paying for Medicare or health insurance plans in the US, at least until they’re confident they won’t live there again.
Pregnancy: Public or Private?
While residents can give birth for free using the public system, many opt for private hospitals. Why? More privacy and often more personalized care. It’s worth considering if you’re planning to grow your family.
However, it’s worth noting that coverage for giving birth typically doesn’t start until around a year after you take out the policy.
Don’t worry though: you will still be able to use the public system as well.
Dental Care
Dental care isn’t typically covered by the public system. While a check-up won’t break the bank (around €30-50), insurance can reduce those costs to a small co-pay. However, whether it’s worth adding it is an individual decision.
“If you are in the lucky position where you only need one or two checkups per year and are otherwise very healthy in terms of dental, it’s probably not financially not worth it to take out dental coverage. What you’ll pay extra to get €250-€1,000 worth of dental coverage is unlikely to be worth it given the average dental checkup is around €30-€50.” – Fernando Mendes (Insurance broker)
Vision
- Public: Vision care is indeed covered under the public healthcare system in Portugal. It’s considered a medical service, which means you can get your eyes checked without breaking the bank. But here’s the catch: you may have to wait several months for an appointment. Unfortunately, the public system typically also doesn’t cover prescription glasses.
- Private: The coverage for vision-related treatments and prescription glasses depends on the policy you choose. But here’s a little nugget of good news: most private insurance plans consider an eye exam just like any other doctor’s appointment. This means it’s usually covered, whether you’re seeing a general physician or an eye specialist.
“Glasses are included on the higher plans, but they are very expensive and so it’s probably not worth it.” – Fernando Mendes (Insurance broker)
Pre-existing Conditions: Not a Deal-Breaker
Most insurers shy away from covering pre-existing conditions on new policies. However, some might offer coverage if you can prove you’re already insured elsewhere. If that’s not an option, MGEN is a popular choice for those with pre-existing conditions.
Age Restrictions: Plan Ahead
Many insurers have age caps, often around 70. If you’re approaching this age, you might want to start your policy earlier or seek out a provider that caters to older adults. It’s all about planning ahead for your golden years.
- MGEN is often the go-to provider for this age group, but it can be pricey.
- Some folks choose to self-insure at this point, essentially saving money instead of paying an insurer.
Don’t forget: you still have the public system at this point. You can also pay to use private hospitals on a pay-as-you go basis with the fund you’ve built up from not paying for health insurance.
Requirements For Buying health Insurance
- To buy health insurance in Portugal, you need the following:
- Portuguese NIF (tax number)
- Portuguese bank account
- An address in Portugal
- It’s doesn’t make a difference whether you’re an EU citizen or not. You simply have to have the three requirements – a NIF, Portuguese bank account, and address in Portugal.
When To Buy Health Insurance
- You don’t even need to be resident in Portugal to buy health insurance – you can purchase it before you move to Portugal.
- Deciding when to start your coverage is a balancing act. Consider things like waiting periods and when you’ll arrive in Portugal so that you have a continuation of coverage.
- Sometimes, it’s smart to get insured early – even before moving to Portugal or have your AIMA appointment – to get past those pesky waiting periods.
Pre-existing Conditions & Medications
Let’s talk about a tricky topic: pre-existing conditions. It can be a bit of a puzzle when it comes to insurance coverage. Many insurers might exclude these conditions or make you wait before covering them. But don’t lose hope!
- MGEN is the main insurer that often covers pre-existing conditions. A couple of others might too, depending on your situation.
- Here’s some good news: even if your insurance doesn’t cover pre-existing conditions, you’re not out of luck. The Portuguese state subsidizes prescriptions for these conditions, sometimes making them very affordable or even free if they’re life-threatening.
Don’t be discouraged if an insurer says they don’t cover pre-existing conditions. You can still get the policy; it just won’t cover those specific issues. Why? Because Portugal’s public health system has got your back for those.
Understanding Waiting Periods
Most health insurance policies have waiting periods, usually 60-90 days for routine stuff. But don’t fret – emergency and accident coverage typically kicks in right away, even with new policies.
Some insurers might waive waiting periods if you’re switching from another plan in another country, so it’s worth asking about.
Pregnancy is an example of something that typically isn’t covered until around a year after your policy begins. If you become pregnant before that, you can give birth in a public hospital. However, it may also be worth speaking to a private hospital or your health insurance provider as insurance broker Fernando Mendes notes.
I had a client from Canada who was already a few months pregnant. She didn’t think she would be able to use a private hospital as her baby was due in around 6 months. However, she had a private health insurance plan. She asked the hospital for a quote out-of-pocket and was quoted €4,500 but due to the fact she had a private health insurance plan, they offered her a discount of €1,200.
Without insurance, this is still considerably cheaper than what you would expect to pay in the US and likely in the UK too. However, with insurance it’s definitely cheaper.
Overview: Healthcare in Portugal
Portugal has a solid public healthcare system, but here’s the plot twist: many folks are doubling down with private health insurance too. Why, you ask? Well, as fantastic as the public system is, it’s often playing a game of catch-up with long queues and staff shortages.
Also…
- Health insurance cuts the cost of using private hospitals. While they are growing in popularity, they aren’t as burdened as the public hospitals.
- And if you’re a newbie to Portugal, especially from outside the EU/EEA/Switzerland, private health insurance isn’t just a nice-to-have – it’s often your golden ticket for that all-important AIMA appointment.
What about once you have secured residency? Do you still need to keep paying for health insurance then.
Well, wait until you get your SNS number (número de utente) at least. But, yes it’s true: some people decide to ditch their private insurance once they are eligible to use the public system.
But while it’s tempting to save a few euros, the general consensus is that keeping your private coverage might be the smarter move. Right now, the public system is quite burdened and the private system is typically easier to navigate as a newcomer.
Of course, everyone’s situation is as unique as a tile in Lisbon, so what works for your expat neighbor might not work for you.
Public vs. Private: What’s the Difference?
If you’re new to Europe, the concept of public and private healthcare systems might seem confusing at first. Many people assume that the private system is better and that the public system is a second-rate option for those that can’t afford to use the private system.
The reality is that the public system is the main healthcare system in Portugal. It’s where you’re likely to go for emergencies and also to get treatment for major illnesses like cancer.
However, as the main healthcare system in Portugal, it’s the one the entire population uses — all 10+ million of them. And like most healthcare systems in Europe, it suffers from underfunding and staffing issues with more and more employees moving abroad for better-paying jobs.
Because of this, there are often long waiting lists for smaller procedures. And because of those waiting lists, many expats and an increasing number of Portuguese citizens opt to use the private system when they can. Waiting lists are typically shorter, the hospitals are often nicer, and it’s easier to find a doctor that speaks English (or your language).
You don’t need health insurance to use the private system, as you can pay out of pocket, but it does reduce the amount you will need to pay to a small co-pay.
Costs
Health insurance in Portugal is surprisingly wallet-friendly, especially when you stack it up against prices in places like the USA.
As an example, the following costs are what you could expect to pay for the highest level of coverage in Portugal.
Here’s what you might expect to pay for top-tier coverage (this quote was given in a Portugalist webinar in July 2024).
| Single/Couple | Age(s) | Costs |
| Couple | 35 | €266 per month (for both) |
| Couple | 55 | €355 per month (for both) |
| Couple | 64 | €530 per month (for both) |
Each quote provides the following level of cover.
- Hospitalization: €1 million per year/per person
- Doctor’s Appointments: €5,000
- Critical Illness Outside Portugal: €1 million
- Dental Coverage: €1,000 per year/per person
I left the US because as a retired firefighter we don’t have access to health insurance until we are 65yo. My wife and I were paying over $1000 a month for health insurance. I feared becoming ill and loosing all we worked for due to the sky high price of any hospital procedure. Here a policy for us is 165 euros a month. I have had an operation in a private hospital, 5 star service. – Portugalist Reader
Health Insurance Providers
The largest Portuguese providers are:
Other names include:
Tips From The Experts
We asked insurance broker Fernando Mendes to provide his top tips for buying health insurance in Portugal.
Family Matters
You can include family members on your plan and it definitely makes sense to.
Budgeting Wisely
Premium costs have been on the rise lately so factor in future increases when budgeting. For example: If €250/month is your max, remember it’ll likely go up with (or above) inflation. Will you be able to afford that in the future?
Feeling the squeeze? Consider trimming other expenses or exploring different plan options.
Payment Strategies
Go for monthly payments over annual ones. Why? Even with a small discount for paying annually, monthly payments offer more flexibility. Plans can change, and monthly payments make it easier to adjust or cancel without losing out.
Remember: A little planning today can save you a lot of headaches (and euros) tomorrow!
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